By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has moved to address long-standing concerns among both salaried workers and the corporate sector, signaling a possible shift in its approach to taxation. Rashid Mahmood Langrial, chairperson of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), said on Friday that authorities had begun work on providing tax relief to the country’s salaried employees, following direct instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Pakistan Business Council, Langrial highlighted that the prime minister had also directed officials to reconsider the super tax levied on large corporations, a move that corporate leaders have long sought. He noted that consultations at the highest levels of government were already underway, indicating that the measures were not merely aspirational but in active planning stages.
Langrial framed the reforms as part of a broader strategy to expand the country’s tax base. He argued that by encouraging more people to file taxes, the government could eventually lower rates for everyone, creating a more equitable system while simultaneously improving revenue collection. “Our aim is to gradually scale down the super tax on major companies and businesses, with the ultimate goal of phasing it out entirely,” he said, stressing that the initiative would be implemented in stages rather than abruptly.
Observers see these comments as the first concrete steps towards a new phase of tax reforms designed to ease the financial burden on wage earners while creating a more favorable environment for business and investment. Analysts suggest that success will depend on the government’s ability to balance revenue needs with economic incentives, and on convincing both workers and corporations that the system can be fair and sustainable.
